2Thessalonians 1:1-12

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In chapter 1 of 2Thessalonians the Apostle Paul starts out with his introduction to the church (vs. 1-2) and then begins with an expression of thanks for the progress which the Thessalonians had made in their devoutness, and especially for the manner in which they had been enabled to bear under their trials (vs. 3-4). Paul then comforts the church under their affliction and persecution (vs. 5-10). The chapter then concludes with Paul mentioning that his prayers were to God for them (vs. 11-12).

The verses that stands out to me today are 2Thessaonians 1:4-5 "so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;" We know that Paul had been persecuted during his first visit to Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9). No doubt those who had responded to his message and had become Christians were continuing to be persecuted by both Jews and Gentiles. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, he said that Christ's return would bring deliverance from persecution and judgment on the persecutors. But this caused the people to expect Christ's return right away to rescue and vindicate them. So Paul had to point out that while waiting for God's kingdom, believers could and should learn perseverance and faith from their suffering. The keys to surviving persecution and trials are patience (perseverance) and faith. When we are faced with crushing troubles, we can have faith that God is using our trials for our good and for his glory. Knowing that God is righteous and just will give us patience in our suffering because we know that He has not forgotten us. In God's perfect timing, he will relieve our suffering and punish those who persecute us.

I pray that others would be able to see your patience and faith in the various trials and testing that you face.

Love in Christ,

Alan J. Schrader

2Thessalonians 2:1-17

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

In chapter 2 of 2Thessalonians the Apostle Paul starts out by exhorting the church to stand fast in the faith, and not to be alarmed at the rumors they heard concerning the sudden coming of Christ (vs. 1-3). Then he proceeds to disprove the error he cautioned them against, by telling them of two great events that were forerunners to the coming of Christ - a general apostasy, and the revelation of antichrist, concerning whom the apostle tells them many remarkable things, about his name, his character, his rise, his fall, his reign, and the sin and ruin of his subjects (vs. 4-12). He then comforts them against the terror of this apostasy, and exhorts them to remain faithful (vs. 13-15). Paul concludes with a prayer that they may be comforted and established in every good word and work (vs. 16-17).

The verse that stands out to me today is 2Thessalonians 2:3 "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition," When Paul first wrote to the Thessalonians, they were in danger of losing hope in the second coming. Then they shifted to the opposite extreme?some of them thought that Jesus would be coming at any minute. Paul restores balance to the church by describing some of the major events that would proceed the day of the Lord (see 1 Thess. 5:1), in particular the falling away, and the revealing of the man of sin. The falling away, Paul declared, must come first. The Greek term translated falling away commonly means a military rebellion. But in the Scriptures, the word is used of rebellion against God. Some have interpreted this verse to refer to a general defection from the truth during this time. This rebellious apostasy would prepare the way for the Antichrist. Others translate the term as departure and understand it to be a reference to the Rapture. That is to say, the man of sin cannot be revealed until Christ comes to take His church to be with Him. As far as the word itself is concerned, it could refer to a spiritual departure (falling away), or it could refer to a physical departure (the Rapture). Whichever way one understands it, it is an event that occurs before the man of sin is revealed. In this verse the Apostle Paul mentions the son of perdition, not so we might identify him specifically, but so we might be ready for anything that threatens our faith. If our faith is strong, we don't need to be afraid of what lies ahead, because we know that this lawless man has already been defeated by God, no matter how powerful he becomes or how terrible our situation seems. God is in control, and He will be victorious over the son of perdition. Our task is to be prepared for Christ's return and to spread the gospel so that even more people will also be prepared.

I pray that you would be prepared by walking with the Savior daily.

Blessings,

Alan J. Schrader

2Thessalonians 3:1-18

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

In chapter 3 of 2Thessalonians the Apostle Paul asks the Thessalonians for their prayers and again encourages them to trust in God (vs. 1-5). He then proceeds to give them commands and directions for correcting some things he was informed were incorrect among them (vs. 6-15) and concludes with benedictions and prayers (vs. 16-18).

The verse that stands out to me today is 2Thessalonians 3:11 "For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies." Paul is making it clear in this verse that Idleness breeds sin. Those who are disorderly, not working at all, become busybodies, causing trouble and division in the church. Some people in the Thessalonian church were falsely teaching that because Christ would return any day, people should set aside their responsibilities, quit work, do no future planning, and just wait for the Lord. But their lack of activity only led them into sin. They became a burden to the church, which was supporting them; they wasted time that could have been used for helping others; and they became "busybodies". These church members may have thought that they were being more spiritual by not working, but Paul tells them to be responsible and get back to work. Being ready for Christ means obeying Him in every area of life. Because we know that Christ is coming, we must live in such a way that our faith and our daily practice will please Him when He returns.

My prayer for you today is found at the end of this chapter: "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (vs. 16, 18).

Love in Christ,

Alan J. Schrader